Spring break is over and the Western...

Spring break is over and the Western State Conference baseball race is heating up again with key games this week.

In the Southern Division, first-place Glendale plays at third-place Pierce at 2:30 p.m. Thursday and hosts the Brahmas at 1 p.m. Saturday.

The teams split their two previous meetings, with Glendale winning, 6-4, on March 7 and Pierce winning, 3-2, the next day.

Glendale is 13-4 in conference play, Pierce is 11-5. Citrus is in second place at 12-4.

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Canyons, in fourth place in the Southern Division at 8-8, plays at second-place Citrus (12-4) at 2:30 today and at Valley on Thursday, before hosting Valley at 1 p.m. Saturday

Coach Chris Cota said the Cougars are still dealing with the death of first baseman-outfielder Nolan LeMar, who was killed by an alleged drunk driver last week.

“They are doing better,” Cota said. “Time will help.”

The Cougars are paying tribute to LeMar the way sports teams normally do.

“One of our parents collected all the hats and is having them stitched with Nolan’s [jersey] number [25],” Cota said.